CHAPTER 4
They marched all day with little incident, hitting the commander's road before expected. It was a relief to all when they saw the small Triku village in the distance, all except Lexa. This small town in the outskirts of her land was always one she avoided at all costs, it had probably been 4 years since her last short visit. She merely came to offer support after a Pauna attack. As she guided her horse through the gates the towns residents all dropped to their knees in shock having not expected to see their Heda in their midst. As much as Lexa didn't like the thought of it, it was common knowledge that she hated the place. With a small gesture from her hand she instructed them to stand. Staying on her horse she addressed her people. "The mountain is dead, we have liberated our people. Many are sick, hungry and exhausted. You will assist them, care for them until we depart for the capital." She did not raise her voice but her words rang clear among her people. With a few strict instructions to her men those that had been rescued started to be split off into people's homes.
A loud scream caught Lexa's attention, looking round she saw a woman running as fast as her legs would carry her into the crowd. A small smile crept to Lexa's lips when she realised it was an ecstatic relative being reunited with their loved one. The poor thin man was almost knocked off his feet on impact, she let eyes linger for a few more seconds enjoying their happiness before several more cries of joy were heard.
At a time like this Lexa thought about the almost impossible decision she had to make at the mountain and how she made the right one, next to none of her warriors died, they will be going home to their families and nearly seven hundred people they thought lost to them forever were now safe again. It is not easy being Commander, their life is always about sacrifice and trying to do what's best for the many.
"Heda, my name is Marko from Polis, I have been overseeing the town since their warriors have been away with you, can I get you anything?"
Lexa regarded the man before speaking, she had, had dealings with him before and he was a trouble maker. "No." She did not thank him, sad to say she did not think someone in his position deserved her manners.
Content her people were being dealt with adequately Lexa reluctantly moved towards a small house a few rows of houses down. Set to one side it was nothing special, it looked remarkably like any other, tin roof, moss covered and rusty from years of neglect. But it wasn't like any others, this was her house, her family's house. She hadn't stepped foot in here for more years than she could remember. Opening the door the front room was dark and gloomy, the smell of damp was rife. What am I doing here? She thought to herself, why she felt the need to add to her already growing amount of suffering she did not know. But curiosity got the better of her, Lexa stepped into the small house and headed to the windows. Pulling the sleeve of her coat over the palm of her hand she wiped at the grotty window panes to allow some light in. Everything was in the same place, filthy of course but nothing had been moved. Memories of her childhood came flooding back to her, her parents and two older sisters occupying the small space. Not all her memories under this roof were fond, but when you have lost everything it's hard to remember the bad. Lexa went upstairs to her parents room, she was hoping to find a small trinket at first but steeled herself remembering that it would not do to dwell on the past, inanimate objects would not help her recover what was lost.
Moving down the narrow hall way she stepped into the impossibly tiny room she had shared with her sisters. Smiling she recalled some of their moments together, mainly with her eldest sister Irena. As she stepped further in her left foot shot through the rotten floor boards, thankfully she managed to save herself falling through it completely. The water damage was quite extensive, she almost felt guilty that she had never ordered the up keep of this place, but who would it have been for? Her family were gone, bled dry by the mountain. Pain creeping in Lexa snapped out of it and stalked out of the house leaving the door wide open. She could feel her self building her protective walls again, "weakness" Lexa she repeated in her head.
To her disdain she was intercepted by Marko again. "Heda I took the liberty of having your tent erected, I have heard you prefer your own surroundings. I have had them bring you fresh food..." Putting her hand up to silence him Lexa nodded in confirmation and walked to her tent. That man's very presence irritated her, he is extremely ambitious and has his eyes set on being an ambassador for his clan. He is of desert clan she was sure, why he felt the need to meddle in Trikru affairs and "oversee" things here was a good question. She was surprised her clan hadn't found a reason to rid him of his head, but then she was also content that they accepted the terms of her coalition for peace amongst the clans. She would speak to Marko back in Polis to ensure he remains within his capacity.